After the offseason retirement of offensive lineman Zack Martin, the newest longest-tenured player on the Dallas Cowboys is now quarterback Dak Prescott.
Already heading into year 10 in the NFL, Prescott shakes his head with a reflective smile any time the subject comes up. From being considered the “uncle” in the quarterback room to now having more seniority than any player on the roster, it’s hard for him to believe how fast a decade has flown by.
“Super fast,” Prescott said.
Wrapping up his 10th mandatory minicamp as a member of the Cowboys on Thursday, Prescott discussed the changes around him. From adding a dynamic weapon like George Pickens into the fold to keeping the curtains up on what exactly the offense will look like under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Prescott delved into a variety of topics pertaining to the upcoming season.
“It’s not hard to be reflective,” he said. “I think you have to, especially with how [his 10 seasons] have been. Some being injured, some getting to knocking on the door and not finishing it. What it does really is just makes you grateful for the opportunity. Every day you get to walk into this building, you’re healthy. Every day you get to approach your teammates. You get to approach this game that you love.”
But even if you look at this season in a vacuum, it’s hard not to put Prescott’s entire career into perspective. Despite multiple playoff trips and strong potential, Prescott is still searching for his first NFC Championship game appearance. His first Super Bowl appearance. His first championship.
Even if a ring on his right hand would put his career under a much different overarching light, Prescott made sure to say that it wouldn’t be for how he is honored in the game. For him, vanquishing that demon for himself and the franchise is personal.
“I want to win a championship,” Prescott said. “The legacy, whatever comes after I finish playing, will take care of itself. I want to win a championship. Be damned if it’s just for my legacy or if it’s for this team. It’s for my personal being, for my sanity. The legacy will take care of itself.”
Knocking on the door of the franchise’s all-time passing yards mark (2,746 yards away) and passing touchdowns record (35 away), records and accolades go out the window these days with Prescott.
For him, it almost feels it’d be all for nothing if it doesn’t mean another banner gets lifted in the rafters of AT&T Stadium.
“For me, it’s about not taking anything for granted,” he said. “Living in the moment, soaking up everything and just making sure I’m the best version of myself to push these other guys to do that. I know we’ll feel good about the results.”